July 2025
- Bighorn Institute
- Aug 1
- 4 min read
SJM Rams North of Tram
July saw a few interesting ram movements using habitat north of Chino Canyon where the Palm Springs Aerial Tram is located, which we’ve seen in recent years, but isn’t the norm. The most significant sighting was a non-functional collared ram we haven’t seen since August 2024 was observed north of Chino Canyon. This was an incredible sighting because we now know he’s alive and well after not seeing him for nearly a year. Last August, he had crossed ranges to the northern Santa Rosa Mountains near Rancho Mirage. This month, he was observed north of Chino Canyon in the San Jacinto Mountains so he has moved more than 17 miles as the crow flies. He’s an older ram that doesn’t typically reside with the rest of the herd, or at least not the marked sheep we track, so it’s great to know he’s still out there thriving.
Another sighting was by a motorist who drove Tramway Road and saw a couple of rams on the north side of the road. Seeing sheep on the north side of the road is also uncommon. Sheep regularly inhabit Chino Canyon, but usually on the south side.
If you see bighorn sheep, please let us know! Photos are the most helpful and you can email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org. Many bighorn sheep are unmarked and some wear non-functional collars so your sightings are very helpful to our work.
Fall Fundraiser Title Sponsorship Available!
Our 2025 Annual Party and Golf Classic fall fundraiser is November 16th and 17th and we're looking for a Title Sponsor for $20,000. This is a great opportunity for business owners! Your business name and logo will be on all invitation and event materials and your Title Sponsorship includes a table for 10 at the Annual Party and 2 foursomes in the Golf Classic plus VIP treatment throughout the event! The Title Sponsorship is tax-deductible! If you would like to be our Title Sponsor, please email us at bi@bighorninstitute.org. Thank you, in advance, for your incredible generosity!
Urban Incidents
In the beginning of July, a lamb fell into the canal at PGA West in La Quinta. Thankfully, a golfer rescued the young sheep from drowning. This is the second time this year that a lamb has fallen into the canal at PGA West and was fortunately rescued. In mid July, over 20 sheep were stuck on the Coachella Valley Water District (CVWD) spillway bridge between SilverRock and PGA West. CVWD responded immediately and opened a gate, but the sheep are now back at PGA West, which is unfortunate. There have been a number of recent incidents of sheep breaching a wall between SilverRock and Tradition via a “vegetation ramp” at Tradition and this was not properly resolved. Once sheep get onto SilverRock property, they can just walk south to PGA West property. There are now around 35 sheep back at PGA West and they will remain there until the weather cools down and efforts can be made to get them out again. In the meantime, we’re hopeful that this “vegetation ramp” will be removed at Tradition or additional fencing will be added to prevent the sheep from re entering SilverRock and PGA West. The wildlife agencies have been talking with both parties to get the issue rectified.
Bighorn sheep in Palm Springs continue to use the urban area of O’Donnell Golf Course and the surrounding areas, including straying into the streets of Las Palmas. We’re working with the wildlife agencies, Palm Springs Animal Control, Friends of the Desert Mountains and Oswit Land Trust to develop a rapid response team to respond to incidents of sheep in the streets of Palm Springs. If you live in Palm Springs and would like to be a volunteer responder, please let us know. Training will be provided. Please call 760-346-7334 or email us bi@bighorninstitute.org to get involved.
Bighorn at Bighorn Golf Club
In late July, a young ram died at Bighorn Golf Club making this the third sheep in two years that have died on their properties. The ram was sick and hanging out on the golf course prior to his death. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife Service collected the ram and will do a necropsy to determine his cause of death. For the past several years, there has been a group of sheep using Bighorn Golf Club as an artificial source of food and water. These sheep have water sources higher in the mountains, but are choosing the urban area, to their demise. When the sheep come down to use these golf courses, they can get sick from ingesting the chemicals, drown in pools and can spread disease to each other by browsing in large groups. A number of residents have also reported issues with rams breaking their patio doors the past couple of years so it’s a concern that the sheep are using this area. A fence can keep the sheep safe from this urban area and the wildlife agencies have been discussing the need here.
The Rut Is On
The rut, or breeding season, for bighorn sheep is in full swing and we’ve seen rams joining the ewes again this month. The rut for Peninsular bighorn sheep typically extends from July through November here in the desert. Rams can lose up to 25% of their body weight traveling miles searching for ewes to breed, sometimes even crossing ranges. We are eager to observe the rams more regularly now that the rut is on since it helps us to see how the population is doing.
BI Resale Store Items Needed
Have small, interesting items you’d like to donate to Bighorn Institute’s Resale Store at Antique Galleries of Palm Springs? Things we could use include: jewelry, coins, bullion, pen sets, small clocks and watches, crystal, camera equipment, statuary and decorative items, antiques and collectibles, etc. You can take your items directly to Antique Galleries of Palm Springs (505 E. Industrial Place, just south of downtown off Sunny Dunes) and ask for Mike or Thomas. If you can’t take your items in, give us a call and we can help collect them 760-346-7334. Thank you!
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